Raymond “Lloyd” Herron, 89, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.

Lloyd was born June 22, 1921, near Blooming Prairie and spent his early years working on the family farm and attending Blooming Prairie High School before joining the Navy to serve in World War II.

Before his time in the Navy and as a teen, Herron was plagued with rheumatic fever and was not able to graduate with his BPHS class of 1938. Despite the lack of a high school diploma and a heart murmur, Herron eventually talked his way into the Navy and was thereafter proud to serve his country in what he considered to be the elite branch of the service in “the most necessary war.”

An incredibly proud veteran of “The Big War”, Herron worked the engines on air-sea rescue boats guarding the Panama Canal Zone from feared Japanese Naval attacks that could cripple the U.S.’s eastern fleet from quick maneuver to participate in the Pacific theater. While in the Navy, Herron was proud to receive formal mechanical education while serving his country.

After the American victory and his return home to southern Minnesota, Herron soon found employment with the Austin Utilities and Water Department, where he worked 37 years before retiring at the end of 1983. During his retirement years, Lloyd was active at St. Edward’s Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. All his life, Lloyd liked to tinker with machinery and mechanics and he always maintained a strong interest in science and technology.

Lloyd considered himself fortunate that he was able to start the experience of his unique point of life in a time of the horse and buggy, joined manhood around the atomic age, and saw the changes of the information age shatter his primary set of beliefs. Very few people have seen the world change and become a smaller place than Lloyd experienced in his lifetime.

A proud Irishman and devout Catholic, US Veteran, American, father and “Ol Gramper,” Lloyd has crossed the bridge, having left his part of this world far better for having enriched it with his love, sense of duty, and unwavering support.

Lloyd is survived by daughter, Kate (Bruce) Brandeland of Plano, Texas; grandchildren: Keely Herron of London; Leith Brandeland (Katy) of Plano, Texas; Andrew Herron (LeAnna) of Atlantic, Iowa; Stephen Herron of Minneapolis; great-grandchildren: Zoe and Nolan Brandeland and daughter-in-law, Jody Herron Hale.

Lloyd is reunited in death with his wife, Edith and son, John Herron.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 am on Friday, November 19, 2010, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91.

Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home.